The truth of our history is lost in the twilight of time, but perhaps a jewel of that truth still exists in the legend passed down through the generations. The legend of Romulus and Remus.

The twins were cruelly separated from their mother when they were newborn, and left to die on the banks of the Tiber River. A shewolf happened by, saved them, and brought them up as her own cubs. Later a shepherd found them and brought them home.

After many years and countless adventures, Romulus and Remus came to discover that they had royal blood coursing through their veins, and were the princes of a nearby city called Alba Longa.

They returned to Alba Longa to reclaim their birthright by force. That accomplished, they celebrated their victory by building a brand new city on one of the seven hills near the Tiber River, where the shewolf had found them several years before.

But who would govern this new city? They looked for a signal from the gods.

Remus scanned the heavens and saw six vultures, but Romulus saw twelve and believed that this vision granted the right to reign in the newly founded city.

The brothers quarreled and unsheathed their swords. They fought a bitter battle and in the end Remus fell, impaled on Romulus' sword.

Romulus ascended the throne in the new city and named it "Rome" in his own honor.

Of course many people reject this explanation, insisting that the existence of Romulus is nothing more than a legend, a fairy tale, created along the skipping stones of time. But the unbelievers would do good to climb the Palatine mountain and visit the austere cabin where Romulus once lived.